Confused about confusion

I am confused as to why there is so much confusion. Below I have inserted sections 8-10 of Article I of the US Constitution. Before that though, I put the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. Read what the 10th says, and tell me where in the constitution it gives them the right to pass a law forcing the people to buy health insurance. What gives them the right to do a lot of things that the federal government is trying to do or have already done. The designers of our country made it very clear in 18 lines what the powers of congress and in another 8 lines limitations to their power.

After time was taken, the congress of that time came back together and saw that certain things needed to be clarified when it comes to the powers of congress vs. state, and therefore they come up with Amendment X of the Constitution (keep in mind, this is one of the amendments that make up the BILL OF RIGHTS) clearly stating that if the Constitution doesn't delegate a power to congress, or restrict it to the states, then by default, it goes to the states. The actual word used is reserved. This by definition means, "kept or set apart or aside for future or special use(m-w.com)." This means that any power not given to congress, is kept or set apart for the states. So if a state wanted to enforce a healthcare requirement, that would be up to the state...NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!!!

Now I don't simply say this for healthcare. I heard today about a bill being proposed to congress that would mandate key lock devices being installed on first time D.U.I. offenders. I am 100% for this law, but that is not a decision that should be at the federal level. That should be left up to the states. I think this should go for everything, that is my point. This means gun laws, driving laws, drinking age, et cetera. This is just the way I see the blueprint set forth by our countries founders.

Amendment X - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The following is under

Article. I. of the US Constitution

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

Clause 2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
Clause 3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
Clause 4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
Clause 5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
Clause 6: To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
Clause 7: To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
Clause 8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
Clause 9: To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
Clause 10: To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
Clause 11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
Clause 12: To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
Clause 13: To provide and maintain a Navy;
Clause 14: To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
Clause 15: To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
Clause 16: To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
Clause 17: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, byCession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And
Clause 18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9 - Limits on Congress

Clause 1: The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
Clause 4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken. (See Note 7)
Clause 5: No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
Clause 6: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
Clause 7: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
Clause 8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section 10 - Powers prohibited of States

Clause 1: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
Clause 2: No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
Clause 3: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Word of the Day - reserved

reserved 
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈzərvd\

Function: adjective

1 : restrained in words and actions

2 : kept or set apart or aside for future or special use

Word of the Day - myrmidon

myrmidon

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English Mirmydon, Latin Myrmidon-, Myrmido, from Greek Myrmidōn

Date: 15th century

1 capitalized : a member of a legendary Thessalian people who accompanied their king Achilles in the Trojan War
2 : a loyal follower; especially : a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously

Opinions are like...

"I Put the following work under your protection. It contains my opinions upon Religion. You will do me the justice to remember, that I have always strenuousij supported the Right of every Man to his own opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it."

                                                                                                                                     -Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

I agree completely with the above quote. This does not mean that everyone needs to agree with each others opinions. It simply means that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that entitlement....that RIGHT needs to be respected by everyone else. If you go around telling everyone that their opinion is wrong...not respecting their right to their opinion...then you loose your right to change your opinion because you bind yourself to your current opinion.

Saying that, it brings me to the next thing on my mind. I think all these people in the government right now are 100% entitled to their opinion on how they feel a country should be run. I encourage people to express their opinion and voice what is going on in their own heads. I don't have a problem with it. What I have a problem with is when people go and break laws so they can make their opinion a reality. When I think of an example, I think of several people who advocate the legalization of marijuana. Go ahead, voice that opinion....just don't go smoking weed though.

Some people think this country should be run not like a democracy or republic, but they think it should be run under a communist rule. Go ahead people....feel free to have that opinion and voice it all day long. When they take it to far is when they break the laws that our founding fathers set up in the US Constitution, to try to make their vision a reality. Guidelines were set in place by the people who made this country. They set forth universal laws that could encompass virtually every outcome.

President Obama commented back in 2001 that the Constitution is nothing more then a list of restrictions and they government. I say...YES IT IS!!! It was designed that way to show the boundaries of the government. It was designed to make clear the limitations of the powers of the federal government.

Word of the Day - wackadoo

Before I put this entry, I know that wackadoo is not a "real," meaning that you won't find it in M-W or Oxford, but you will find it on www.urbandictionary.com

Check it out for yourself!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

wackadoo
	A person who is a step beyond crazy.

I Pray for those with Ill prayers at heart

Something that I knew of, but wasn't confronted with until today, is the bumper sticker going around that says, "Pray for Obama-Psalm109:8." When I actually saw the sticker on the persons car in front of me, I could just feel something eating away at me, telling me that this message that is being spread by those stickers, just isn't right. Thing is, whoever started this either isn't a Christian, and they are simply 'using' the Bible for their own agenda, or if this person is a Christian, I think they need to pray long and hard and ask if this is truly what Jesus would want them pray for. Psalm109:8 says,

"Give him a short life, and give his job to somebody else."

                                                  Psalm 109:8 (The Message)

In some translations, it simple says 'let his days be few' instead of 'give him a short life.' And in some translations it says 'let someone take his office' instead of the above translation. It all says the same thing though, by asking that people pray for this particular verse on President Obama, it is asking for the Presidents death, and for someone to take his office.


I know, and I know many Christians know, that the Bible is to be read in context of the surrounding verses. So what does the rest of Psalm109 say? Here it is:

^{"1 -5} My God, don't turn a deaf ear to my hallelujah prayer. Liars are pouring out invective on me; 

   Their lying tongues are like a pack of dogs out to get me, 

      barking their hate, nipping my heels—and for no reason! 

   I loved them and now they slander me—yes, me!— 

      and treat my prayer like a crime; 

   They return my good with evil, 

      they return my love with hate. 

   ^{6 -20} Send the Evil One to accuse my accusing judge; 

      dispatch Satan to prosecute him. 

   When he's judged, let the verdict be "Guilty," 

      and when he prays, let his prayer turn to sin. 

   Give him a short life, 

      and give his job to somebody else. 

   Make orphans of his children, 

      dress his wife in widow's weeds; 

   Turn his children into begging street urchins, 

      evicted from their homes—homeless. 

   May the bank foreclose and wipe him out, 

      and strangers, like vultures, pick him clean. 

   May there be no one around to help him out, 

      no one willing to give his orphans a break. 

   Chop down his family tree 

      so that nobody even remembers his name. 

   But erect a memorial to the sin of his father, 

      and make sure his mother's name is there, too— 

   Their sins recorded forever before God, 

      but they themselves sunk in oblivion. 

   That's all he deserves since he was never once kind, 

      hounded the afflicted and heartbroken to their graves. 

   Since he loved cursing so much, 

      let curses rain down; 

   Since he had no taste for blessing, 

      let blessings flee far from him. 

   He dressed up in curses like a fine suit of clothes; 

      he drank curses, took his baths in curses. 

   So give him a gift—a costume of curses; 

      he can wear curses every day of the week! 

   That's what they'll get, those out to get me— 

      an avalanche of just deserts from God. 

   ^{21 -25} Oh, God, my Lord, step in; 

      work a miracle for me—you can do it! 

   Get me out of here—your love is so great!— 

      I'm at the end of my rope, my life in ruins. 

   I'm fading away to nothing, passing away, 

      my youth gone, old before my time. 

   I'm weak from hunger and can hardly stand up, 

      my body a rack of skin and bones. 

   I'm a joke in poor taste to those who see me; 

      they take one look and shake their heads. 

   ^{26 -29} Help me, oh help me, God, my God, 

      save me through your wonderful love; 

   Then they'll know that your hand is in this, 

      that you, God, have been at work. 

   Let them curse all they want; 

      you do the blessing. 

   Let them be jeered by the crowd when they stand up, 

      followed by cheers for me, your servant. 

   Dress my accusers in clothes dirty with shame, 

      discarded and humiliating old ragbag clothes. 

   ^{30 -31} My mouth's full of great praise for God, 

      I'm singing his hallelujahs surrounded by crowds, 

   For he's always at hand to take the side of the needy, 

      to rescue a life from the unjust judge."

                                            Psalm 109 (The Message)

Look at the beginning of verse 6, it calls for the Evil One, aka Lucifer, to judge 'him.' In this case, the 'him' is President Obama. I will not deny that there are countless things going on in our country that I don't agree with that are a direct result of the decisions that our President has made. But to wish death and judgement by Satan, that is to far.

Now beyond all that, I think what gets me the most is what is in verse 9 & 10, it calls for ill wishes on his children.

"Make orphans of his children, 

      dress his wife in widow's weeds; 

   Turn his children into begging street urchins, 

      evicted from their homes—homeless."

                                                         Psalm 109:9 & 10 (The Message)

Now it is time for me to pray, as the title of this blog implies. I pray that God speaks to those that are spreading this ill conceived message, and that they see that this is not what Jesus would want for his followers. I pray that God gives guidance for those that do wish to stand up and have their voices heard in this time when our country is going through many trails. I pray they get the guidance to share their voice in the most constructive way. I pray that all people can find at least some peace in these troublesome times. Amen.

Was it really a mistake?

"New Jersey Teacher Orders 3rd Grader to Put Away Bible During Quiet Time"
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A third grader was told by a teacher at her New Jersey elementary school that the Bible was not appropriate reading material for quiet time, MyFoxNY.com reported.

The teacher at Madison Park Elementary School in Old Bridge, N.J., ordered the girl, Mariah, to put away her Bible.

Michelle Jordat, Mariah’s mother, said her daughter was upset and confused by the incident, MyFoxNY.com reported.

'This was injustice,' Jordat said, according to MyFoxNY.com.

'No other child has to go through this again.'

The school’s principal apologized for the incident, saying school policy does in fact allow students to read the Bible during quiet time and that the teacher had simply made a mistake, MyFoxNY.com reported.

Jordat said she accepts the apology but also wants to see something in writing. She plans to talk to an attorney about the issue, according to the site.

The town’s board of education met with parents Tuesday evening to address concerns in the community.

Original article at http://bit.ly/8etBlr

__________________________________________________

I don't think that this was a "mistake" in the regards of the teacher not understanding. I think it is more appropriate to the first definition for the word mistake which is "An error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness." I think that the teacher used her own personal judgement in place of what her professional judgement should have been, therefore her judgement was defective. If you tell students it is quiet time to read any book of their choosing and they do exactly that, then let them be.

WHEN A SOLDIER COMES HOME

WHEN A SOLDIER COMES HOME

When a soldier comes home, he finds it hard....

..to listen to his son whine about being bored.

....to keep a straight face when people complain about potholes.

to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work.

...to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a bad night's sleep.

..to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.

...to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive slower.

..to be compassionate when a businessman expresses a fear of flying.

....to keep from laughing when anxious parents say they're afraid to send their kids off to summer camp.

....to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather.

....to control his frustration when a colleague gripes about his coffee being cold.

....to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog.

.....to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.

....to just walk away when someone says they only get two weeks of vacation a year.

....to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house.

The only thing harder than being a Soldier..

Is loving one.

Word of the Day - supercilious

supercilious

[soo-per-sil-ee-uhs] –adjective

haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as in a person or a facial expression.

Related forms:

su⋅per⋅cil⋅i⋅ous⋅ly, adverb

su⋅per⋅cil⋅i⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
arrogant, scornful

Antonyms:
humble

Final Inspection ~Original Author Unknown~

Reading this gives me chills...I am sure any other soldier out there who reads this will feel the same way.

__________________________________________________

Final Inspection

~Original Author Unknown~

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you ?

Have you always turned the other cheek ?

To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'

Something to think about......Life

Below is one of those messages that you sometimes get that just make you stop and think. I know that I am always getting caught in the moment and putting things off til tomorrow if I don't want to deal with them today. So as I sit here and read this email, I pray that God gives me clarity to remember to always appreciate every moment, cause you never know what will be happening in the next.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package: 'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.'

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it.' 

He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.

He turned to me and said: 'Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion.'

 I still think those words changed my life. Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the porch without worrying about anything. I spend more time with my family, and less at work. I understand that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it. The words 'Someday...' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now. 

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends. She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favorite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special. 

Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

The Christ Bell

Christ Bell This is an awesome message. Someone took a lot of time setting up this message. THE BELL I KNOW WHO I AM I am God's child (John 1:12) I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 ) I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17) I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20) I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1) I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8) I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14) I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27) I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2) I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20) I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34) I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21) I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18) I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6) I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39) I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 ) I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 ) I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 ) I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 ) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 ) I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5) I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10) I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1) I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10) I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5) I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5) I belong to God Do you know Who you are?

Word of the Day - fat cat

fat cat

Function: noun \ˈfat-ˌkat\

Date: 1928

1: a wealthy contributor to a political campaign fund.

2: a wealthy and privileged person.

3: big shot

4: a lethargic complacent person

Meet Me in the Stairwell

Every time I read anything concerning 9/11...it sends a chill through me. I don't know who wrote this message below, but reading this gives me those same chills. It definitely gives one something to think about.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all knew Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

Two Wolves

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."